Appeal 24433

Appeal Summary

Status: Decision Rendered

Appeal ID: 24433

Submission Date: 12/2/20 12:17 PM

Hearing Date: 12/9/20

Case #: B-013

Appeal Type: Building

Project Type: commercial

Building/Business Name: Community Hospital / Oregon Humane Society

Appeal Involves: Erection of a new structure

Proposed use: Animal Hospital and Forensic Investigation

Project Address: 7865 NE 14th Pl

Appellant Name: Brian Hoeft

LUR or Permit Application #: Permit 20-172678-CO

Stories: 2 Occupancy: A-3, B, H-3 Construction Type: V-B

Fire Sprinklers: Yes - Entire building is sprinklered.

Plans Examiner/Inspector: Chanel Horn

Plan Submitted Option: pdf   [File 1]

Payment Option: mail

Appeal Information Sheet

Appeal item 1

Code Section

1010.1.9.8 Delayed Egress

Requires

Delayed egress locking systems shall be permitted to be installed on doors serving the following occupancies in buildings that are equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or an approved automatic smoke or heat detection system installed in accordance with Section 907.

  1. Group B, F, I, M, R, S and U occupancies
  2. Group E classrooms with an occupant load of less than 50.
Code Modification or Alternate Requested

The intent of this appeal is to use delayed egress locks at the Hospital Vestibule doors.

Proposed Design

The Lobby of the Hospital is an A-3 Assembly space where customers will bring their dogs and cats for treatment. The Oregon Humane Society is concerned that a dog or cat in the Lobby may be able to escape through the vestibule doors as occupants are coming and going. To prevent this, we are proposing that these doors operate in the following manner:
Doors 100A and 101A to open for egress via Push Plate activation, or Exit Device (panic bar) only. Door Operators and exit devices to interlock such that either pair of doors cannot activate until the other pair of doors have closed. Free, immediate egress allowed via activation of the fire alarm system.
We propose to provide the following signage at each door: “TO EXIT PUSH ACCESSIBLE DOOR BUTTON OR PUSH ON DOOR HARDWARE UNTIL DOOR OPENS.”
We propose to revise the fire protection sprinkler design criteria at the Lobby from a Light Hazard Occupancy (0.10 GPM/FT2) to an Ordinary Hazard Occupancy Group 2 (0.20 GPM/FT2) in order to double the amount of water being applied to the area.

Reason for alternative

This alternative is required to prevent the danger of animals escaping from the building. We propose to provide equivalent life safety protection by doubling the amount of water being provided by the fire sprinkler system to increase the safety of the space while occupants make their way to the exit.

Appeal Decision

Delayed egress locks at the hospital vestibule doors serving A3 lobby: Granted as proposed.

The Administrative Appeal Board finds that the information submitted by the appellant demonstrates that the approved modifications or alternate methods are consistent with the intent of the code; do not lessen health, safety, accessibility, life, fire safety or structural requirements; and that special conditions unique to this project make strict application of those code sections impractical.

Pursuant to City Code Chapter 24.10, you may appeal this decision to the Building Code Board of Appeal within 90 calendar days of the date this decision is published. For information on the appeals process, go to www.portlandoregon.gov/bds/appealsinfo, call (503) 823-7300 or come in to the Development Services Center.